US20030214483A1 - Foot control mechanism for computer mouse - Google Patents
Foot control mechanism for computer mouse Download PDFInfo
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- US20030214483A1 US20030214483A1 US10/146,637 US14663702A US2003214483A1 US 20030214483 A1 US20030214483 A1 US 20030214483A1 US 14663702 A US14663702 A US 14663702A US 2003214483 A1 US2003214483 A1 US 2003214483A1
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- foot
- computer
- mouse
- harness
- pedal
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
- G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
- G06F3/033—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor
- G06F3/0334—Foot operated pointing devices
Definitions
- This invention pertains to the field of computers. More particularly, it pertains to a foot control mechanism for moving the computer mouse over the mouse pad thereby relieving the user's hand from the task of moving from the key pad in order to move the mouse.
- the mouse historically has been an appendage to the computer and, when using it, requires the user to take one hand off the keyboard, place it over the mouse, and move the mouse on its pad and click one or more keys on the mouse before returning their hand to the keyboard. Some effort has been made to allow the mouse on the computer pad to be moved by one's finger or finger nail; however, this operation still requires lifting one's hand from the keyboard.
- This invention is a foot control for the computer mouse. It uses movement of one or both feet on the controls to move the cursor about the computer screen.
- the clickable switches normally found on the mouse, are relocated to the keyboard where the user may select them just as is selecting other items on the computer.
- one foot controls movement of the cursor about the computer screen while the other foot operates switches that are normally found on the mouse. In all cases, the operator is relieved of the task of removing his or her hand from the keyboard to operate the mouse.
- the main object of this invention is the relocation of the mouse from adjacent the computer keyboard to the area surrounding the feet of the computer user and elimination of the task to move one's hand from the keyboard to the mouse in order to direct the cursor on the computer screen.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one of the embodiments of this invention showing use of two pedals to move the cursor and show some of the mechanical elements used to connect foot pedal movement to movement of the cursor;
- FIG. 2 is a side view of the pitching motion of the preferred embodiment of the foot pedals of this invention.
- FIG. 3 is an end view of the rolling motion of another embodiment of the foot pedals of this invention.
- FIG. 3 a is a top view of a person's foot on a foot pedal showing the alignment of central rolling axis x 2 -x 2 ;
- FIG. 4 is a top view of the yawing motion of another embodiment of the foot pedals of this invention.
- FIG. 5 is a side view of the harness that holds one element of the two element combination of a computer mouse and a computer mouse pad showing the harness to be holding the mouse;
- FIG. 6 is another view of the harness showing it to be holding the mouse pad
- FIG. 7 is another view of the harness showing it to be holding the mouse where the mouse pad is resting on an independent surface and not part of the claimed invention
- FIG. 8 is a top view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, with a few parts removed for clarity, showing the mechanical means for moving the cursor by movement of the foot pedals;
- FIG. 8 a is a perspective view of the right side of the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 showing a close-up view of the right side foot pedal and the pulleys and lines strung thereabout and connected to certain elements;
- FIG. 8 b is a perspective view of the left side foot pedal and the pulleys and lines strung thereabout and connected to certain elements;
- FIG. 9 is a front view of the face of a computer monitor showing the movement of the cursor as driven by the food pedals of this invention.
- FIG. 10 is an illustrative view of the electrical means of driving the cursor with the foot pedals, in a pitching embodiment of this invention, where the means includes a variable resistance;
- FIG. 11 is an illustrative view of the mechanical-electrical means of driving the cursor with the foot pedals, in a yawing embodiment of this invention, where the means includes a variable capacitor;
- FIG. 12 is an illustrative view of the electrical means of driving the cursor with the foot pedals, in a pitching embodiment of this invention, where the means includes a variable voltage divider;
- FIG. 13 is an illustrative view of the electrical means of driving the cursor with the foot pedals, in a pitching and a yawing embodiment of this invention, where the means includes a variable capacitor and a voltage divider; and,
- FIG. 14 is an illustrative view of one of the foot pedals in a pitching embodiment where the foot pedal is used to actuate an electric switch similar to the electric switch presently on a mouse.
- FIGS. 1 to 17 show a number of different embodiments of the invention.
- FIGS. 1 and 8 show a foot control 1 for moving one part of a combination 3 of a computer mouse 5 and mouse pad 7 , to move a computer cursor 9 around the face 13 of a computer monitor 15 of a computer assembly (see FIG. 9).
- This embodiment of the invention comprises two foot pedals, 17 and 19 , in spaced-apart arrangement on a base 21 where base 21 is preferably located between the pedals.
- the term “foot pedal” as used herein defines an elongated pedal spanning from near the heel to near the toe of the user's foot or shoe placed thereon. Foot pedals 17 and 19 may vary in length, however, they need to be long enough to react to the movement of the pitch, yaw and roll of the foot placed thereon, as will be discussed later.
- a harness 25 is provided for holding one element of computer mouse-mouse pad combination 3 , i.e., either mouse 5 or pad 7 . Whichever element of combination 3 is held by harness 25 , the other element is located in close proximity thereto to allow the two elements, namely mouse 5 and pad 7 , to contact each other as in the ordinary use of a mouse with a pad.
- Means 27 is provided for interconnecting foot pedals 17 and 19 with harness 25 to provide north-south, east-west, oblique and curved movements of harness 25 about a phantom plane x-y with the pivotal movement of said pedals.
- the terms “north-south, east-west, oblique and curved movement” are used herein to identify all the possible moves a cursor can make in its travel over or in monitor face 13 .
- each pedal has a centralized neutral position “A”, which corresponds to cursor 9 being located at the center of monitor face 13 .
- FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment of one pedal wherein it is supported by a shaft 29 , extending from base 21 , aligned along a central axis x 1 -x 1 (FIGS. 1, 8, 8 a and 8 b ) transverse to the long direction of each foot pedal, thereby allowing the pedal to pitch up or down (as shown in dotted outline) at the front end 31 of the foot pedal, by pressing one's toes downward on front end 31 , or allowing the pedal to tip upward at the front end 33 of the foot pedal by pressing one's heel downward on rear end 33 .
- Full downward travel of foot pedal front end 31 is marked as position B, while full downward travel of foot pedal rear end 33 is marked as position C.
- mouse 5 moves cursor 9 on monitor face 13 from center to the right or left; while between positions A and C, cursor 9 is moved on monitor face 13 from center in the opposite direction, positions B and C being the extreme edge of the monitor face 13 .
- a side-to-side or “east-west” motion of cursor 9 by using a foot pedal in a pitching motion above and below of neutral position A.
- FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of one pedal wherein it is supported by a shaft 37 , located along side base 21 on brackets 39 (see FIG. 12), along a central axis x 2 -x 2 (see FIG. 3 a ) aligned with the long direction of each foot pedal, thereby allowing the foot pedal to be rolled to the left by pressing the left side of the foot on the left side 41 of the foot pedal and allowing the pedal to be rolled to the right by pressing the right side of the foot on the right side 43 of the foot pedal (shown in dotted outline).
- Full downward travel of foot pedal left side 41 full roll left
- position B full downward travel of foot pedal right side 43 (full roll right) is marked as position C.
- FIGS. 4 and 11 show a third embodiment of one pedal wherein it is supported by a centrally located bearing 45 , supported along side base 21 on a bracket 49 , thereby allowing the pedal to be yawed or rotated counter-clockwise by twisting the foot on the pedal counter-clockwise and allowing the pedal to be yawed or rotated clockwise by twisting the foot on the pedal clockwise.
- Full counter-clockwise rotation of the pedal full counter-clockwise rotation of the pedal (full twist left) is marked as position B, while full clockwise rotation of the pedal (full twist right) is marked as position C.
- foot pedals 17 and 19 can be mixed for various reasons. For instance, instead of having both pedals 17 and 19 operate in a pitching motion about separate transverse shafts 29 , one pedal can be so rigged while the other pedal can be rigged to yaw left and right on bearing 45 or rolled clockwise or counter clockwise about axial shaft 37 . Instead of both pedals 17 and 19 operate in a yawing motion about separate bearings 45 , one pedal can be so rigged while the other pedal can be rigged to operate in a pitching motion about one transverse shaft 29 or rolled to the left or to the right about pivotal shaft 41 .
- one pedal can be so rigged while the other pedal can be rigged to operate in a pitching motion about one transverse shaft 29 or the other pedal can be rigged to yaw left and right on bearing 45 . Any combination of these three types of pedal movement can be arranged to produce full travel of cursor 9 over the entire face 13 of the monitor.
- harness 25 is preferably arranged to hold mouse 5 , of computer mouse-mouse pad combination 3 , as it traverses mouse pad 7 , also mounted on base 21 with the aid of a clip 51 .
- harness 25 is arranged to hold mouse pad 7 on base 21 with the aid of clip 51 .
- mouse pad 7 need not be made a part of foot control 1 or base 21 and harness 25 and clip 51 can be rigged to hold mouse 5 and move it about mouse pad 7 such as when mouse pad 7 is already supported on another surface such as the floor.
- means 27 interconnecting foot pedals 17 and 19 with harness 25 , to provide north-south, east-west, oblique and curved movements of harness 25 about plane x-y, driven by the pivotal movement of said pedals, can be mechanical means, electrical means, or a combination of both mechanical and electrical means.
- base 21 is located between foot pedals 17 and 19 for supporting harness 25 , for holding one part of a computer mouse-mouse pad combination 3 , and for moving harness 25 about flat plane x-y.
- a plurality of pulleys 53 are mounted on base plate 59 by clips 55 that anchor them for rotational movement.
- At least one flexible line 57 is attached to pedals 17 and 19 , as well as to harness 25 , and arranged to move over pulleys 53 and about base 21 , powered by foot pedals 17 and 19 , to reposition harness 25 vis-a-vis flat plane x-y as a function of the movement of said pedals.
- Base plate 59 is shown in FIGS. 1, 8, 8 a , and 8 b to include a base plate 59 defined by opposed, side edges 63 and 65 , respectively, and spaced-apart front and rear edges 67 and 69 respectively.
- Four legs 71 extend downward from the four corners of base plate 59 to support base 21 on a planar surface.
- a bar 75 passes under plate 59 and from side-to side and supports a pair of mutually or outwardly extending transverse shafts 29 on which foot pedals 17 and 19 are pivotally mounted.
- base plate 59 On top of base plate 59 are mounted two pairs of spaced-apart rails, 77 a - 77 b and 79 a - 79 b fixed above the surface of plate 59 by pylons 81 mounted thereon and connected to the respective terminal ends of said rails.
- Rail pair 77 a - 77 b is arranged laterally cross plate 59 while rail pair 79 a - 79 b is arranged longitudinally cross plate 59 .
- first rollers 83 a , 83 b , 83 c , and 83 d are mounted on fixed rails 77 a , 77 b , 79 a and 79 b each pair of said rollers held by harness 25 and interconnected short stubs 26 .
- Two pairs of second rollers 87 a and 87 b are mounted on cross members 89 and 91 .
- Pairs of second rollers 87 a and third rollers 87 b are attached together by another harness 25 (including short stubs 26 ), in orthogonal arrangement, and are in rotational contact with cross members 89 and 91 , for travel therealong.
- a first flexible line 57 a passes from a stop 93 , mounted on base plate 59 near left side edge 63 around a first pulley 53 a , mounted to rear end 33 of left pedal 17 , upward, over a second pulley 53 b and over to moveable cross-member 89 .
- Each connection of a line 57 with a pair of rollers and harnesses includes a small spring at the end of the line to maintain tension.
- a second flexible line 57 b passes from a stop 95 , mounted on base plate 59 near left side edge 63 and around a third pulley 53 c , mounted to front end 31 of left pedal 17 , upward over a fourth pulley 53 d , and a fifth pulley 53 e located on the right side of plate 59 ) and back over to moveable cross-member 89 .
- Pitching motion of pedal 17 about transverse shaft 29 and about axis x 1 - 1 causes lines 57 a and 57 b to push and pull moveable cross-member 89 and harness 25 laterally along rails 77 a - 77 b and move second pair of rollers 87 a side-to-side or “east-and-west” over base plate 59 .
- a third flexible line 57 c passes from a stop 97 , mounted on base plate 59 near right side edge 65 , around a sixth pulley 53 f , mounted to the rear end 33 of foot pedal 19 , upward over a seventh pulley 53 g , and over to moveable cross-member 91 along base plate right side 65 .
- a fourth flexible line 57 d passes from stop 97 around pulley 53 f upward over an eighth pulley 53 h , across base plate 59 to a ninth pulley 53 i and forward to cross- member 91 .
- a fifth flexible line 57 e passes from a stop 99 , mounted on base plate 59 near right side edge 65 , around a tenth pulley 53 j , mounted to front end 31 of pedal 19 and down to cross-member 91 .
- a sixth flexible line 57 f passes from stop 99 around pulley 53 i upward and over a twelfth pulley 531 , across base plate 59 to a thirteenth pulley 53 m and downward to moveable cross-member 91 .
- a stanchion 101 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 8 mounted to base plate 59 , along base plate front edge 67 , and extending upward, above moveable cross-members 89 and 91 .
- a clamp 103 extends from stanchion 101 outward over base plate 59 and is arranged to hold computer mouse 5 stationary, over base plate 59 .
- An adjustment fixture 105 is provided on stanchion 101 to allow clamp 103 to be raised or lowered at will.
- Mouse 5 is shown in FIG. 1 fixedly mounted in clamp 103 and mouse pad 7 mounted on harness 25 so that mouse pad 7 is moved about in a level plane under mouse 5 and in contact with it.
- Mouse 5 is shown in FIG.
- mouse pad 7 mounted on a clip 51 that is attached to harness 25 and mouse pad 7 is shown fixedly mounted in clamp 103 .
- mouse pad 7 is fixedly held and mouse 5 is moved thereunder in a level plane.
- Mouse pad 7 is shown merely sitting on a flat surface, such as base plate 59 , and mouse 5 is mounted in clip 51 attached to harness 25 so that mouse 5 is moved about mouse pad 7 .
- the switches (buttons) presently located on mouse 5 can easily be re-located on the computer keyboard such as in the Function Keys.
- Foot control 1 may be modified to have mouse 5 held on top of harness 25 and aligned on plane x-y and clamp 103 arranged to hold mouse pad 7 in operable planar contact with it.
- Means 27 is provided for interconnecting foot pedals 17 and 19 with harness 25 to provide north-south, east-west, oblique and curved movements of harness 25 about a phantom plane x-y with the pivotal movement of said pedals.
- means 27 comprises a variable resistance pot 109 , connected to a shaft 111 extending downward from foot pedal front end 31 (or rear end 33 ) for movement there is as shown by the arrows.
- Variable resistance pot 109 is electrically connected by a line 112 to a reversible electric motor 113 (the reversible motion shown by the arrows), powered through an electrical supply wire 115 to a source of electric power (not shown).
- a pulley 117 is fastened onto the motor output shaft 121 that moves a flexible line 123 (which could be any of the flexible lines 57 a , et sec.) forward and backward as shown by the arrows all pursuant to the position (pitch, yaw or roll) of the foot pedal away from its neutral position A and toward positions B and C.
- Line 123 is connected as previously described and is ultimately connected to either mouse 5 or mouse pad 7 , to move one against the other, in an east-west direction (or a north-south direction) depending upon the position of the foot pedal from its neutral position A.
- means 27 comprises a variable capacitance pot 125 , connected to shaft 111 extending sideways from foot pedal front end 31 (or rear end 33 ) for movement therein as shown by the arrows.
- Variable capacitance pot 125 is electrically connected by line 112 to reversible electric motor 113 (the reversible motion shown by the arrows), powered through electrical supply wire 115 to the source of electric power (not shown).
- Pulley 117 on motor output shaft 121 moves flexible line 123 forward and backward, pursuant to the position (pitch, yaw or roll) of the foot pedal away from its neutral position A and toward positions B and C.
- Line 123 to either mouse 5 or mouse pad 7 , moves one against the other, in an east-west direction (or a north-south direction) depending upon the position of the foot pedal from its neutral position A.
- the capacitance in pot 125 is changed in the circuit and motor 113 is commanded to move forward or in reverse (as shown by the arrows) a precise distance to control the position of cursor 9 on monitor face 13 . Further discussion of this aspect of the invention is not warranted because connecting a variable capacitance to a reversible electric motor, in an electric-mechanical drive, is well within the prior art.
- means 27 comprises a variable voltage divider 127 , connected to shaft 111 extending downward from foot pedal front end 31 (or rear end 33 ).
- Variable voltage divider 127 is electrically connected by line 112 to reversible electric motor 113 , powered through electrical supply wire 115 to the source of electric power (not shown).
- Pulley 117 on motor output shaft 121 moves flexible line 123 forward and backward, pursuant to the position (pitch, yaw or roll) of the foot pedal away from its neutral position A and toward positions B and C.
- Line 123 ultimately connected to either mouse 5 or mouse pad 7 , moves one against the other, in an east-west direction (or a north-south direction) depending upon the position of the foot pedal from its neutral position A.
- the voltage in voltage divider 127 is changed and motor 113 is commanded to move forward or in reverse a precise distance to control the position of cursor 9 on monitor face 13 . Further discussion of this aspect of the invention is not warranted because connecting a voltage divider to a reversible electric motor, in an electromechanical drive, is well within the prior art.
- variable resistance 109 variable resistance 109
- variable capacitance 125 variable capacitance 125
- voltage divider 127 voltage divider 127
- a second embodiment of foot control 1 is shown in FIG. 13 to comprise a single foot pedal 17 mounted on a centralized bearing 45 having a centralized neutral position A.
- First and second arms 137 and 139 extend from the underside of foot pedal 17 into variable resistance pots 143 and 145 respectively.
- Arm 137 extends from foot pedal front end 31 and arm 135 extends from foot pedal left side 41 .
- Variable resistance pots 143 and 145 are electrically connected by line 112 to reversible electric motors 147 and 149 , powered through an electrical supply wire 115 to a source of electric power (not shown).
- Pulley 117 is fastened onto the motor output shafts 121 of each motor that moves flexible lines 123 forward and backward pursuant to the position of foot pedal 17 away from its neutral position A and toward positions B or C. Lines 123 are connected as previously described, however, foot pedal 17 operates about two axes, transverse and longitudinal. Pitching foot pedal 17 up and down causes arm 137 to vary the resistance going to motor 149 and control the east-west travel of cursor 9 across monitor face 13 while rolling foot pedal 17 from side-to-side causes arm 139 to vary the resistance going to motor 147 and control the north-south travel of cursor 9 across monitor face 13 . To maintain its neutral position at location A, one or more springs or other bias instruments 155 may be used as shown in FIG. 11.
- FIG. 14 shows foot pedal 17 pivoted about transverse axle 29 and having an arm 151 extending from foot pedal front end 31 (or rear end 33 ). Located below arm 151 is a push-button type switch 153 for actuation by foot pedal 17 where the output electrical line 155 is connected into the computer (not shown).
Abstract
A foot control for a computer mouse-computer pad combination, to move a computer cursor around the computer display monitor including two foot pedals in spaced-apart arrangement, each foot pedal having a centralized neutral position, arranged for movement therefrom through and into two other positions by pressure applied from separate areas of each foot, a harness for holding one part of a computer mouse-computer pad combination and moving the harness about a flat plane, and a series of pulleys and wires interconnecting the foot pedals with the harness to provide north-south, east-west, oblique and curved movements of the harness about the plane with movement of the foot pedals.
Description
- 1. Field of the Invention
- This invention pertains to the field of computers. More particularly, it pertains to a foot control mechanism for moving the computer mouse over the mouse pad thereby relieving the user's hand from the task of moving from the key pad in order to move the mouse.
- 2. Description of the Prior Art
- I have a mouse, he has no face nor legs but just a tail,
- He works for me around the clock and never seems to fail,
- I move him 'round his little pad and watch him go and play,
- Pets may come and pets may go, but my mouse's here to stay. Anon, 2002
- The above words show the importance of the computer mouse. There is probably no one left in the developed world who isn't familiar with the modem day computer. Along with this knowledge is the recognition of the role played by the computer mouse. The small, egg-sized mouse sits on its pad, generally adjacent the computer keyboard, and, when moved by the user's hand, causes the cursor to move about the computer screen.
- The mouse historically has been an appendage to the computer and, when using it, requires the user to take one hand off the keyboard, place it over the mouse, and move the mouse on its pad and click one or more keys on the mouse before returning their hand to the keyboard. Some effort has been made to allow the mouse on the computer pad to be moved by one's finger or finger nail; however, this operation still requires lifting one's hand from the keyboard.
- Should the mouse be relocated such that its use does not require the hand to be lifted from the keyboard, the user would be able to type longer and produce more computer product, whether it is composing a business letter, a complex design or playing a game.
- This invention is a foot control for the computer mouse. It uses movement of one or both feet on the controls to move the cursor about the computer screen. In one embodiment, the clickable switches, normally found on the mouse, are relocated to the keyboard where the user may select them just as is selecting other items on the computer. In another embodiment, one foot controls movement of the cursor about the computer screen while the other foot operates switches that are normally found on the mouse. In all cases, the operator is relieved of the task of removing his or her hand from the keyboard to operate the mouse.
- Accordingly, the main object of this invention is the relocation of the mouse from adjacent the computer keyboard to the area surrounding the feet of the computer user and elimination of the task to move one's hand from the keyboard to the mouse in order to direct the cursor on the computer screen.
- These and other objects of the invention will become more clear when one reads the following specification, taken together with the drawings that are attached hereto. The scope of protection sought by the inventor may be gleaned from a fair reading of the Claims that conclude this specification.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one of the embodiments of this invention showing use of two pedals to move the cursor and show some of the mechanical elements used to connect foot pedal movement to movement of the cursor;
- FIG. 2 is a side view of the pitching motion of the preferred embodiment of the foot pedals of this invention;
- FIG. 3 is an end view of the rolling motion of another embodiment of the foot pedals of this invention;
- FIG. 3a is a top view of a person's foot on a foot pedal showing the alignment of central rolling axis x2-x2;
- FIG. 4 is a top view of the yawing motion of another embodiment of the foot pedals of this invention;
- FIG. 5 is a side view of the harness that holds one element of the two element combination of a computer mouse and a computer mouse pad showing the harness to be holding the mouse;
- FIG. 6 is another view of the harness showing it to be holding the mouse pad;
- FIG. 7 is another view of the harness showing it to be holding the mouse where the mouse pad is resting on an independent surface and not part of the claimed invention;
- FIG. 8 is a top view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, with a few parts removed for clarity, showing the mechanical means for moving the cursor by movement of the foot pedals;
- FIG. 8a is a perspective view of the right side of the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 showing a close-up view of the right side foot pedal and the pulleys and lines strung thereabout and connected to certain elements;
- FIG. 8b is a perspective view of the left side foot pedal and the pulleys and lines strung thereabout and connected to certain elements;
- FIG. 9 is a front view of the face of a computer monitor showing the movement of the cursor as driven by the food pedals of this invention;
- FIG. 10 is an illustrative view of the electrical means of driving the cursor with the foot pedals, in a pitching embodiment of this invention, where the means includes a variable resistance;
- FIG. 11 is an illustrative view of the mechanical-electrical means of driving the cursor with the foot pedals, in a yawing embodiment of this invention, where the means includes a variable capacitor;
- FIG. 12 is an illustrative view of the electrical means of driving the cursor with the foot pedals, in a pitching embodiment of this invention, where the means includes a variable voltage divider;
- FIG. 13 is an illustrative view of the electrical means of driving the cursor with the foot pedals, in a pitching and a yawing embodiment of this invention, where the means includes a variable capacitor and a voltage divider; and,
- FIG. 14 is an illustrative view of one of the foot pedals in a pitching embodiment where the foot pedal is used to actuate an electric switch similar to the electric switch presently on a mouse.
- Turning now to the drawings, where elements are identified with numbers and like elements are identified with like numbers throughout the 17 drawings, FIGS.1 to 17 show a number of different embodiments of the invention. FIGS. 1 and 8 show a
foot control 1 for moving one part of acombination 3 of acomputer mouse 5 and mouse pad 7, to move acomputer cursor 9 around theface 13 of acomputer monitor 15 of a computer assembly (see FIG. 9). This embodiment of the invention comprises two foot pedals, 17 and 19, in spaced-apart arrangement on abase 21 wherebase 21 is preferably located between the pedals. The term “foot pedal” as used herein defines an elongated pedal spanning from near the heel to near the toe of the user's foot or shoe placed thereon.Foot pedals - A
harness 25 is provided for holding one element of computer mouse-mouse pad combination 3, i.e., eithermouse 5 or pad 7. Whichever element ofcombination 3 is held byharness 25, the other element is located in close proximity thereto to allow the two elements, namelymouse 5 and pad 7, to contact each other as in the ordinary use of a mouse with a pad. -
Means 27 is provided for interconnectingfoot pedals harness 25 to provide north-south, east-west, oblique and curved movements ofharness 25 about a phantom plane x-y with the pivotal movement of said pedals. The terms “north-south, east-west, oblique and curved movement” are used herein to identify all the possible moves a cursor can make in its travel over or inmonitor face 13. - Turning to
foot pedals cursor 9 being located at the center ofmonitor face 13. There are at least two other positions, “B” and “C”, of the pedals. - FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment of one pedal wherein it is supported by a
shaft 29, extending frombase 21, aligned along a central axis x1-x1 (FIGS. 1, 8, 8 a and 8 b) transverse to the long direction of each foot pedal, thereby allowing the pedal to pitch up or down (as shown in dotted outline) at thefront end 31 of the foot pedal, by pressing one's toes downward onfront end 31, or allowing the pedal to tip upward at thefront end 33 of the foot pedal by pressing one's heel downward onrear end 33. Full downward travel of footpedal front end 31 is marked as position B, while full downward travel of foot pedalrear end 33 is marked as position C. As the foot pedal is moved between positions A and B,mouse 5 movescursor 9 onmonitor face 13 from center to the right or left; while between positions A and C,cursor 9 is moved onmonitor face 13 from center in the opposite direction, positions B and C being the extreme edge of themonitor face 13. Thus is produced a side-to-side or “east-west” motion ofcursor 9 by using a foot pedal in a pitching motion above and below of neutral position A. - By rigging the other pedal in the same general manner, downward travel of
pedal front end 31, between positions A and B, movescursor 9 onmonitor face 13 from center upward while downward travel of foot pedalrear end 33, between positions A and C, movescursor 9 onmonitor face 13 in the opposite direction, positions B and C being the extreme edge of themonitor face 13. Thus is produced a top-to-bottom or “north-south” motion ofcursor 9 by using the other foot pedal, also in a pitching motion, fore and aft of neutral position A. By coordinating movement of both feet onfoot pedals mouse 5 is able to drivecursor 9 over every part ofmonitor face 13. - FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of one pedal wherein it is supported by a
shaft 37, located alongside base 21 on brackets 39 (see FIG. 12), along a central axis x2-x2 (see FIG. 3a) aligned with the long direction of each foot pedal, thereby allowing the foot pedal to be rolled to the left by pressing the left side of the foot on theleft side 41 of the foot pedal and allowing the pedal to be rolled to the right by pressing the right side of the foot on theright side 43 of the foot pedal (shown in dotted outline). Full downward travel of foot pedal left side 41 (full roll left) is marked as position B, while full downward travel of foot pedal right side 43 (full roll right) is marked as position C. As the foot pedal is moved between positions A and B,mouse 5 moves against mouse pad 7 and movescursor 9 onmonitor face 13 from center to the right or left; while between positions A and C,cursor 9 is moved onmonitor face 13 from center in the opposite direction, positions B and C being the extreme edge of themonitor face 13. Thus is produced a side-to-side or “east-west” motion ofcursor 9 by using a pedal in a pitching motion fore and aft of neutral position A. - By rigging the other pedal in the same general manner, left rolling travel of pedal
left side 41, between positions A and B, movescursor 9 onmonitor face 13 from center upward while right rolling travel of pedalright side 43, between positions A and C, movescursor 9 onmonitor face 13 in the opposite direction, positions B and C being the extreme edge of themonitor face 13. Thus is produced a top-to-bottom or “north-south” motion ofcursor 9 by using the other pedal, also in a rolling motion, side-to-side of neutral position A. By coordinating movement of both feet onfoot pedals cursor 9 is able to be driven over every part ofmonitor face 13. - FIGS. 4 and 11 show a third embodiment of one pedal wherein it is supported by a centrally located bearing45, supported along
side base 21 on abracket 49, thereby allowing the pedal to be yawed or rotated counter-clockwise by twisting the foot on the pedal counter-clockwise and allowing the pedal to be yawed or rotated clockwise by twisting the foot on the pedal clockwise. Full counter-clockwise rotation of the pedal (full twist left) is marked as position B, while full clockwise rotation of the pedal (full twist right) is marked as position C. As the pedal is moved between positions A and B,cursor 9 is moved onmonitor face 13 from center to the right or left; while between positions A and C,mouse 5 is moved over mouse pad 7 to movecursor 9 onmonitor face 13 from center in the opposite direction, positions B and C being the extreme edge of themonitor face 13. Thus is produced a side-to-side or “east-west” motion ofcursor 9 by using a pedal in a pitching motion fore and aft of neutral position A. - By rigging the other pedal in the same general manner, counter-clockwise rotation of the pedal, between positions A and B, moves
cursor 9 onmonitor face 13 from center upward while clockwise rotation of the pedal, between positions A and C, movescursor 9 onmonitor face 13 in the opposite direction, positions B and C being the extreme edge of themonitor face 13. Thus is produced a top-to-bottom or “north-south” motion ofcursor 9 by using the other pedal, also in a rotational or twisting motion, side-to-side of neutral position A. By coordinating movement of both feet onfoot pedals cursor 9 is able to be driven over every part ofmonitor face 13. - The individual movements of
foot pedals pedals transverse shafts 29, one pedal can be so rigged while the other pedal can be rigged to yaw left and right on bearing 45 or rolled clockwise or counter clockwise aboutaxial shaft 37. Instead of bothpedals separate bearings 45, one pedal can be so rigged while the other pedal can be rigged to operate in a pitching motion about onetransverse shaft 29 or rolled to the left or to the right aboutpivotal shaft 41. Instead of bothpedals transverse shaft 29 or the other pedal can be rigged to yaw left and right on bearing 45. Any combination of these three types of pedal movement can be arranged to produce full travel ofcursor 9 over theentire face 13 of the monitor. - As shown in FIG. 5, harness25 is preferably arranged to hold
mouse 5, of computer mouse-mouse pad combination 3, as it traverses mouse pad 7, also mounted onbase 21 with the aid of aclip 51. In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 6, harness 25 is arranged to hold mouse pad 7 onbase 21 with the aid ofclip 51. As shown in FIG. 7, mouse pad 7 need not be made a part offoot control 1 orbase 21 andharness 25 andclip 51 can be rigged to holdmouse 5 and move it about mouse pad 7 such as when mouse pad 7 is already supported on another surface such as the floor. - As shown in FIGS. 10 through 14, means27, interconnecting
foot pedals harness 25, to provide north-south, east-west, oblique and curved movements ofharness 25 about plane x-y, driven by the pivotal movement of said pedals, can be mechanical means, electrical means, or a combination of both mechanical and electrical means. - As shown in FIGS. 1, 8,8 a and 8 b,
base 21 is located betweenfoot pedals harness 25, for holding one part of a computer mouse-mouse pad combination 3, and for movingharness 25 about flat plane x-y. A plurality ofpulleys 53 are mounted onbase plate 59 byclips 55 that anchor them for rotational movement. At least oneflexible line 57 is attached topedals pulleys 53 and aboutbase 21, powered byfoot pedals harness 25 vis-a-vis flat plane x-y as a function of the movement of said pedals. -
Base plate 59 is shown in FIGS. 1, 8, 8 a, and 8 b to include abase plate 59 defined by opposed, side edges 63 and 65, respectively, and spaced-apart front andrear edges legs 71 extend downward from the four corners ofbase plate 59 to supportbase 21 on a planar surface. Abar 75 passes underplate 59 and from side-to side and supports a pair of mutually or outwardly extendingtransverse shafts 29 on whichfoot pedals base plate 59 are mounted two pairs of spaced-apart rails, 77 a-77 b and 79 a-79 b fixed above the surface ofplate 59 bypylons 81 mounted thereon and connected to the respective terminal ends of said rails. Rail pair 77 a-77 b is arranged laterally crossplate 59 while rail pair 79 a-79 b is arrangedlongitudinally cross plate 59. - Four pairs of
first rollers rails harness 25 and interconnectedshort stubs 26. Two pairs ofsecond rollers cross members second rollers 87 a andthird rollers 87 b are attached together by another harness 25 (including short stubs 26), in orthogonal arrangement, and are in rotational contact withcross members flexible line 57 a passes from astop 93, mounted onbase plate 59 nearleft side edge 63 around afirst pulley 53 a, mounted torear end 33 ofleft pedal 17, upward, over asecond pulley 53 b and over tomoveable cross-member 89. Each connection of aline 57 with a pair of rollers and harnesses includes a small spring at the end of the line to maintain tension. A secondflexible line 57 b passes from astop 95, mounted onbase plate 59 nearleft side edge 63 and around athird pulley 53 c, mounted tofront end 31 ofleft pedal 17, upward over afourth pulley 53 d, and afifth pulley 53 e located on the right side of plate 59) and back over tomoveable cross-member 89. Pitching motion ofpedal 17 abouttransverse shaft 29 and about axis x1-1causes lines moveable cross-member 89 andharness 25 laterally along rails 77 a-77 b and move second pair ofrollers 87 a side-to-side or “east-and-west” overbase plate 59. - A third
flexible line 57 c passes from astop 97, mounted onbase plate 59 nearright side edge 65, around asixth pulley 53 f, mounted to therear end 33 offoot pedal 19, upward over aseventh pulley 53 g, and over tomoveable cross-member 91 along base plateright side 65. A fourthflexible line 57 d passes fromstop 97 aroundpulley 53 f upward over aneighth pulley 53 h, acrossbase plate 59 to aninth pulley 53 i and forward to cross-member 91. A fifthflexible line 57 e passes from astop 99, mounted onbase plate 59 nearright side edge 65, around atenth pulley 53 j, mounted tofront end 31 ofpedal 19 and down tocross-member 91. A sixthflexible line 57 f passes fromstop 99 aroundpulley 53 i upward and over atwelfth pulley 531, acrossbase plate 59 to athirteenth pulley 53 m and downward tomoveable cross-member 91. Pitching motion ofpedal 19 abouttransverse shaft 29causes lines moveable cross-member 91 andharness 25 longitudinally along rails 79 a-79 b and move third pair ofrollers 87 a up and down or “north-south” overbase plate 59. - A
stanchion 101 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 8 mounted tobase plate 59, along base platefront edge 67, and extending upward, abovemoveable cross-members clamp 103 extends fromstanchion 101 outward overbase plate 59 and is arranged to holdcomputer mouse 5 stationary, overbase plate 59. Anadjustment fixture 105 is provided onstanchion 101 to allowclamp 103 to be raised or lowered at will.Mouse 5 is shown in FIG. 1 fixedly mounted inclamp 103 and mouse pad 7 mounted onharness 25 so that mouse pad 7 is moved about in a level plane undermouse 5 and in contact with it.Mouse 5 is shown in FIG. 5 mounted on aclip 51 that is attached to harness 25 and mouse pad 7 is shown fixedly mounted inclamp 103. In this configuration, mouse pad 7 is fixedly held andmouse 5 is moved thereunder in a level plane. In FIG. 7, Mouse pad 7 is shown merely sitting on a flat surface, such asbase plate 59, andmouse 5 is mounted inclip 51 attached to harness 25 so thatmouse 5 is moved about mouse pad 7. The switches (buttons) presently located onmouse 5 can easily be re-located on the computer keyboard such as in the Function Keys. - As described, pitching of
left foot pedal 17 causes mouse pad 7 to move in a side-to-side, east-west motion while pitching ofright foot pedal 19 causes mouse pad 7 to move in an up-down, north-south motion. By coordinated motion of both pedals,mouse 5 can be controlled to movecursor 9 about the entire surface ofmonitor face 13.Foot control 1 may be modified to havemouse 5 held on top ofharness 25 and aligned on plane x-y and clamp 103 arranged to hold mouse pad 7 in operable planar contact with it. -
Means 27 is provided for interconnectingfoot pedals harness 25 to provide north-south, east-west, oblique and curved movements ofharness 25 about a phantom plane x-y with the pivotal movement of said pedals. As shown in FIG. 10, means 27 comprises avariable resistance pot 109, connected to ashaft 111 extending downward from foot pedal front end 31 (or rear end 33) for movement there is as shown by the arrows.Variable resistance pot 109 is electrically connected by aline 112 to a reversible electric motor 113 (the reversible motion shown by the arrows), powered through anelectrical supply wire 115 to a source of electric power (not shown). Apulley 117 is fastened onto themotor output shaft 121 that moves a flexible line 123 (which could be any of theflexible lines 57 a, et sec.) forward and backward as shown by the arrows all pursuant to the position (pitch, yaw or roll) of the foot pedal away from its neutral position A and toward positions B andC. Line 123 is connected as previously described and is ultimately connected to eithermouse 5 or mouse pad 7, to move one against the other, in an east-west direction (or a north-south direction) depending upon the position of the foot pedal from its neutral position A. Upon movement of the foot pedal, the resistance is changed inpot 109 andmotor 113 is commanded to move forward or in reverse a precise distance to control the position ofcursor 9 onmonitor face 13. Further discussion of this aspect of the invention is not warranted because connecting a variable resistance to a reversible electric motor, in an electromechanical drive, is well within the prior art. - As shown in FIG. 11, means27 comprises a
variable capacitance pot 125, connected toshaft 111 extending sideways from foot pedal front end 31 (or rear end 33) for movement therein as shown by the arrows.Variable capacitance pot 125 is electrically connected byline 112 to reversible electric motor 113 (the reversible motion shown by the arrows), powered throughelectrical supply wire 115 to the source of electric power (not shown).Pulley 117 onmotor output shaft 121 movesflexible line 123 forward and backward, pursuant to the position (pitch, yaw or roll) of the foot pedal away from its neutral position A and toward positions B andC. Line 123, to eithermouse 5 or mouse pad 7, moves one against the other, in an east-west direction (or a north-south direction) depending upon the position of the foot pedal from its neutral position A. Upon movement of the foot pedal, the capacitance inpot 125 is changed in the circuit andmotor 113 is commanded to move forward or in reverse (as shown by the arrows) a precise distance to control the position ofcursor 9 onmonitor face 13. Further discussion of this aspect of the invention is not warranted because connecting a variable capacitance to a reversible electric motor, in an electric-mechanical drive, is well within the prior art. - As shown in FIG. 12, means27 comprises a
variable voltage divider 127, connected toshaft 111 extending downward from foot pedal front end 31 (or rear end 33).Variable voltage divider 127 is electrically connected byline 112 to reversibleelectric motor 113, powered throughelectrical supply wire 115 to the source of electric power (not shown).Pulley 117 onmotor output shaft 121 movesflexible line 123 forward and backward, pursuant to the position (pitch, yaw or roll) of the foot pedal away from its neutral position A and toward positions B andC. Line 123, ultimately connected to eithermouse 5 or mouse pad 7, moves one against the other, in an east-west direction (or a north-south direction) depending upon the position of the foot pedal from its neutral position A. Upon movement of the foot pedal, the voltage involtage divider 127 is changed andmotor 113 is commanded to move forward or in reverse a precise distance to control the position ofcursor 9 onmonitor face 13. Further discussion of this aspect of the invention is not warranted because connecting a voltage divider to a reversible electric motor, in an electromechanical drive, is well within the prior art. As all three of these electrical devices, i.e.,variable resistance 109,variable capacitance 125, andvoltage divider 127 utilizeflexible line 123, springs and pulleys, they may be referred to as “electrical means” or “electromechanical means”. - A second embodiment of
foot control 1 is shown in FIG. 13 to comprise asingle foot pedal 17 mounted on acentralized bearing 45 having a centralized neutral position A. First andsecond arms 137 and 139 extend from the underside offoot pedal 17 intovariable resistance pots front end 31 and arm 135 extends from foot pedal leftside 41.Variable resistance pots line 112 to reversibleelectric motors electrical supply wire 115 to a source of electric power (not shown).Pulley 117 is fastened onto themotor output shafts 121 of each motor that movesflexible lines 123 forward and backward pursuant to the position offoot pedal 17 away from its neutral position A and toward positions B orC. Lines 123 are connected as previously described, however,foot pedal 17 operates about two axes, transverse and longitudinal. Pitchingfoot pedal 17 up and down causes arm 137 to vary the resistance going tomotor 149 and control the east-west travel ofcursor 9 acrossmonitor face 13 while rollingfoot pedal 17 from side-to-side causesarm 139 to vary the resistance going tomotor 147 and control the north-south travel ofcursor 9 acrossmonitor face 13. To maintain its neutral position at location A, one or more springs orother bias instruments 155 may be used as shown in FIG. 11. - This latter embodiment is a one-foot pedal operation to move
cursor 9 in all directions. The other foot pedal may be used to activate switches presently found on computer mouses. FIG. 14 showsfoot pedal 17 pivoted abouttransverse axle 29 and having anarm 151 extending from foot pedal front end 31 (or rear end 33). Located belowarm 151 is a push-button type switch 153 for actuation byfoot pedal 17 where the outputelectrical line 155 is connected into the computer (not shown). - While the invention has been described with reference to a particular embodiment thereof, those skilled in the art will be able to make various modifications to the described embodiment of the invention without departing from the true spirit and scope thereof. It is intended that all combinations of elements and steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve substantially the same result are within the scope of this invention.
Claims (29)
1. A foot control for a computer mouse-computer pad combination, to move a computer cursor around the computer display monitor, comprising:
a) a foot pedal, having a centralized neutral position, said pedal arranged for movement from said neutral position toward and into two other positions by pressure applied from separate areas of the user's foot;
b) a harness for holding one part of a computer mouse-computer pad combination and moving said harness about a flat plane;
c) means interconnecting said foot pedal with said harness to provide north-south, east-west, oblique and curved movements of said harness about said plane with the pivotal movement of said pedal.
2. The foot control for the computer mouse-computer pad combination of claim 1 wherein said two other positions of said foot pedal are caused by the pitching up and down motion of said foot pedal about a transverse axis.
3. The foot control for the computer mouse-computer pad combination of claim 1 wherein said two other positions of said foot pedal are caused by yawing motion, clockwise and counter-clockwise, of said pedal about a supporting, pivotal connection.
4. The foot control for the computer mouse-computer pad combination of claim 1 wherein said two other positions of said foot pedal are caused by the rolling motion of said foot pedal about a central axis aligned along the long part of said foot pedal.
5. The foot control for the computer mouse-computer pad combination of claim 1 wherein said harness is arranged to hold the mouse of a computer mouse-computer pad combination and moving said mouse about a flat plane in contact with the mouse pad.
6. The foot control for the computer mouse-computer pad combination of claim 1 wherein said harness is arranged to hold the mouse pad of a computer mouse-computer pad combination and moving said pad about a flat plane in contact with the mouse.
7. The foot control for the computer mouse-computer pad combination of claim 1 further including a base located adjacent said foot pedal for supporting said harness for holding one part of a computer mouse-computer pad combination and moving said harness about a flat plane.
8. The foot control for the computer mouse-computer pad combination of claim 7 wherein said means, interconnecting said foot pedal with said harness to provide north-south, east-west, oblique and curved movements of said harness about said plane with the pivotal movement of said foot pedal, is selected from the group consisting of mechanical means, electrical means, and electromechanical means.
9. The foot control for the computer mouse-computer pad combination of claim 8 wherein said mechanical means includes:
a) a base located adjacent said foot pedal for supporting said harness;
b) a plurality of pulleys mounted on said base for rotational movement; and,
c) flexible lines attached to said foot pedals and said harness, about said pulleys, and arranged for moving about said base, as powered by said foot pedal and as directed by said pulleys, to reposition said harness as a function of the movement of said foot pedal.
10. The foot control for the computer mouse-computer pad combination of claim 1 wherein said electrical means includes at least one variable resistor connected to said foot pedal providing a first resistance denoting said neutral position and second and other resistances denoting movement of said foot pedal from said neutral position through to said two other positions.
11. The foot control for the computer mouse-computer pad combination of claim 1 wherein said electrical means includes at least one variable capacitor connected to said foot pedal providing a first capacitance denoting said neutral position and second and other capacitances denoting movement of said foot pedal from said neutral position through to said two other positions.
12. The foot control for the computer mouse-computer pad combination of claim 1 wherein said electrical means includes at least one variable voltage divider connected to said foot pedal providing a first voltage denoting said neutral position and second and other voltages denoting movement of said foot pedal from said neutral position through to said two other positions.
13. A foot control for a computer mouse-computer pad combination, to move a computer cursor around the computer display monitor, comprising:
a) two foot pedals in spaced-apart arrangement, each said foot pedal having centralized neutral positions and each said foot pedals arranged for movement from said neutral position toward and into two other positions by pressure applied from separate areas of each of the user's feet;
b) a harness for holding one part of a computer mouse-computer pad combination and moving said harness about a flat plane;
c) means interconnecting said foot pedals with said harness to provide north-south, east-west, oblique and curved movements of said harness about said plane with the pivotal movement of said foot pedals.
14. The foot control for the computer mouse-computer pad combination of claim 13 wherein said two other positions of each said foot pedals are caused by pitching up and down motion of said foot pedals about transverse axes.
15. The foot control for the computer mouse-computer pad combination of claim 13 wherein said two other positions of said foot pedals are caused by the yawing motion of said foot pedals about pivotal connections.
16. The foot control for the computer mouse-computer pad combination of claim 13 wherein said two other positions of said foot pedals are caused by the rolling motion of said foot pedals about central axes aligned with the long portion of each said foot pedal.
17. The foot control for the computer mouse-computer pad combination of claim 13 wherein said two other positions of said foot pedals are caused by the pitching up and down motion one of said pedals about a transverse axis and the yawing motion of said foot pedals about a pivotal connection.
18. The foot control for the computer mouse-computer pad combination of claim 13 wherein said two other positions of said foot pedals are caused by the pitching up and down motion of one of said foot pedals about a transverse axis and the rolling motion of said other foot pedal about a central axis aligned with the long direction of said other foot pedal.
19. The foot control for the computer mouse-computer pad combination of claim 13 wherein said two other positions of said foot pedals are caused by the rolling motion of one of said foot pedals about a central axis, aligned with the long direction of said foot pedal, and the yawing motion of the other of said foot pedals about a pivotal connection.
20. The foot control for the computer mouse-computer pad combination of claim 13 wherein said harness is arranged to hold the mouse of a computer mouse-computer pad combination to move the mouse about a flat plane in contact with the mouse pad.
21. The foot control for the computer mouse-computer pad combination of claim 13 wherein said harness is arranged to hold the mouse pad of a computer mouse-computer pad combination to move the pad about a flat plane in contact with a mouse.
22. The foot control for the computer mouse-computer pad combination of claim 13 further including a base located between said foot pedals for supporting said harness.
23. The foot control for the computer mouse-computer pad combination of claim 13 wherein said means, interconnecting said foot pedal with said harness is selected from the group consisting of mechanical means, electrical means, and electro-mechanical means.
24. The foot control for the computer mouse-computer pad combination of claim 23 wherein said mechanical means includes:
a) a base located between said foot pedals for supporting said harness and for moving said harness about a flat plane;
b) a plurality of pulleys mounted on said base for rotational movement; and,
c) at least one flexible line attached to said foot pedals and said harness and arranged for moving about said base, as powered by said foot pedals and as directed by said pulleys, to reposition said harness as a function of the movement of said foot pedals.
25. The foot control for the computer mouse-computer pad combination of claim 24 wherein said electrical means includes at least one variable resistor connected to said foot pedal providing a first resistance denoting said neutral position and second and other resistances denoting movement of said foot pedal from said neutral position toward and into said two other positions.
26. The foot control for the computer mouse-computer pad combination of claim 24 wherein said electrical means includes at least one variable capacitor connected to said foot pedal providing a first capacitance denoting said neutral position and second and other capacitances denoting movement of said foot pedal from said neutral position toward and into said two other positions.
27. The foot control for the computer mouse-computer pad combination of claim 24 wherein said electrical means includes at least one variable voltage divider connected to said foot pedal providing a first voltage denoting said neutral position and second and other voltages denoting movement of said foot pedal from said neutral position toward and into said two other positions.
28. The foot control for the computer mouse-computer pad combination of claim 24 further including a base, located between said foot pedals, for supporting said foot pedals thereon and for holding one part of said computer mouse-computer pad combination and moving said harness about a flat plane.
29. A foot control for a computer mouse-computer pad combination, to move a computer cursor around the computer display, comprising:
a) two foot pedals in spaced-apart arrangement, each said foot pedal having a centralized neutral position, each said pedal arranged for movement from said neutral positions toward and into two other positions by pressure applied from separate areas of each foot;
b) a harness for holding one part of a computer mouse-computer pad combination and moving said harness about a flat plane;
c) means interconnecting one of said foot pedals with said harness to provide north-south, east-west, oblique and curved movements of said harness about said plane with the pivotal movement of said pedal; and,
d) means interconnecting the other of said foot pedals to switches for selecting various functions in the computer as a function of the cursor position.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US10/146,637 US20030214483A1 (en) | 2002-05-14 | 2002-05-14 | Foot control mechanism for computer mouse |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/146,637 US20030214483A1 (en) | 2002-05-14 | 2002-05-14 | Foot control mechanism for computer mouse |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20030214483A1 true US20030214483A1 (en) | 2003-11-20 |
Family
ID=29418865
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US10/146,637 Abandoned US20030214483A1 (en) | 2002-05-14 | 2002-05-14 | Foot control mechanism for computer mouse |
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US (1) | US20030214483A1 (en) |
Cited By (13)
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US20040140951A1 (en) * | 2003-01-17 | 2004-07-22 | Blish Jacob Adam | Foot operated computer mouse |
WO2008052321A1 (en) * | 2006-10-30 | 2008-05-08 | Enns Richard B | Tri-axis foot controller |
US20100231514A1 (en) * | 2006-11-29 | 2010-09-16 | Tan Min-Liang | Customizable Computer Input Device |
US8294671B1 (en) * | 2009-01-21 | 2012-10-23 | Kinesis Corporation | Computer peripheral with removable active element cartridge |
US20140267195A1 (en) * | 2006-10-30 | 2014-09-18 | Richard B. Enns | Tri-axis foot controller |
CN108874186A (en) * | 2018-05-30 | 2018-11-23 | 重庆工业职业技术学院 | A kind of mouse auxiliary body and mouse application method |
US10736700B2 (en) | 2016-11-17 | 2020-08-11 | Alcon Inc. | Ergonomic foot-operated system |
US10843781B2 (en) | 2017-12-08 | 2020-11-24 | Navico Holding As | Foot pedal for a trolling motor assembly |
US10864054B2 (en) | 2016-11-17 | 2020-12-15 | Alcon Inc. | Tri-axial ergonomic footswitch |
CN112269477A (en) * | 2020-11-05 | 2021-01-26 | 四川长虹网络科技有限责任公司 | Wireless mouse for foot |
US11760457B2 (en) | 2021-07-09 | 2023-09-19 | Navico, Inc. | Trolling motor foot pedal controlled sonar device |
US11796661B2 (en) | 2021-05-21 | 2023-10-24 | Navico, Inc. | Orientation device for marine sonar systems |
US11971478B2 (en) | 2022-08-10 | 2024-04-30 | Navico, Inc. | Steering assemblies and associated methods |
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US11796661B2 (en) | 2021-05-21 | 2023-10-24 | Navico, Inc. | Orientation device for marine sonar systems |
US11760457B2 (en) | 2021-07-09 | 2023-09-19 | Navico, Inc. | Trolling motor foot pedal controlled sonar device |
US11971478B2 (en) | 2022-08-10 | 2024-04-30 | Navico, Inc. | Steering assemblies and associated methods |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
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STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |